Niche - a genetics survival game is a turn-based strategy game combined with simulation and roguelike elements. Shape your own species of animals based on real genetics. Keep your species alive against all odds, such as predators, climate change and spreading sickness.

Recent Reviews:

Very Positive
(51)
- 100% of the 51 user reviews in the last 30 days are positive.

All Reviews:

Very Positive
(1,365)
- 89% of the 1,365 user reviews for this game are positive.

Downloadable Content For This Game

February 12

We just pushed a new build with some fixes and improvements to the main branch. Most of these things were already in place on the preview branch (version 1.0.6). A big thanks to everyone who helped with the testing <3

Improvements- Improved tutorial, now fully localised- Added new UI tooltips - Updated credits- Attacking rogue males prevents them from mating for a short time- Option to change animal texture resolution(Set to low to increase performance)- Added support for 64bit Windows and Linux-> Because of this you will now see a pop-up when playing with older versions on other branches. If you do, please choose the second option :)

January 12

The three most rated suggestions are:- Call to attract wild Nichelings, as real animals call to attract mates.- A set of new tail genes: Peacock, scorpion and fin.- Gene changes: The armored body is impervious to leeches, the toxic body kills leeches, spiky body babies can't be picked up by blue birds(we will also add prevention from cactus damage if you have armored body)

These 3 suggestions + a day counter will be added to the game, hopefully in the March/April update when we add wings and the whale island ^_^

About This Game

Niche - a genetics survival game is a fresh blend of turn-based strategy and simulation combined with roguelike elements. Shape your own species of cat/fox/bear/dog-like animals based on real genetics. Keep your animals alive against all odds, such as hungry predators, climate change and spreading sickness. If your species goes extinct the game is lost and your evolution needs to start anew.

Key Features:

Real genetics for breeding system

Over 100 genes to shape your species

Procedurally generated worlds and animals

4 biomes featuring different predators, prey and flora to explore

Game mechanics inspired on population genetics

Games that inspired us:

Spore

Don’t Starve

The Creatures Series

Warrior Cats

Educational aspects:

While playing Niche, the player is introduced to the scientific mechanics of genetics (featuring dominant-recessive, co-dominant inheritance, etc). The game also features the five pillars of population genetics (genetic drift, genetic flow, mutation, natural selection, sexual selection). All knowledge is interwoven with the game-mechanics. This creates the effect of learning by playing.